Teaching Your Little One Emotional Intelligence

There's a lot of talk about emotional intelligence these days, but it's still not a concept that many people fully understand. In fact, if you're like me, you might be wondering what emotional intelligence even means. The following article will help you understand the concept of emotional intelligence in children and how you can help your child develop this vital skill.

Defining Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions as well as the emotions of others. It's different from general intelligence, or g, which is a measure of one's overall cognitive ability.

As children grow up, they learn about the world around them by watching how adults react in certain situations. However, if parents aren't mindful of their own emotions and how they're perceived by their children (or partner), it can be difficult for a child to develop emotional intelligence at an appropriate pace.

The good news is that there are several ways you can help your little one develop their EQ so they can navigate life more effectively later on:

A Child's Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a person's ability to be aware of, control and express their emotions. It also includes the ability to be aware of other people's emotions and respond in an appropriate way.

Emotional Intelligence includes:

• Self-awareness – knowing your feelings and being honest about them

• Self-management – developing skills for better self-control

• Social awareness – socially competent; understanding the emotions, needs and concerns of others (not just your own) and respond appropriately

Increasing Your Child's Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be learned.

• Kids need to learn how to control their emotions so they can act appropriately when they get angry or sad, for example.

• Parents can help by modeling good behavior and talking about emotions.

• Parents can encourage kids to express their feelings in a healthy way instead of bottling them up inside.

Building your child's emotional intelligence can improve their lives forever.

Emotional intelligence is a concept that many parents are familiar with, and it's something you can teach your children at home. Whether they're young or old, emotional intelligence helps kids in all areas of their lives.

A child who understands emotions and has good communication skills will have an easier time making friends and keeping them. They'll also be more successful at school because they'll be better able to focus on their work when necessary—and less likely to get into trouble for being out of control or distracted. In the workplace, someone who has high emotional intelligence may be promoted faster than someone who doesn't understand how their own emotions affect others around them.

If you want your child (or yourself) to succeed in life, teaching them how to recognize and manage their emotions is as important as reading or math!